Ampliatus
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [1]
(Ἀμπλιᾶτος [ Romans 16:8 א ABFG], a common Lat. name of which Authorized Version Amplias [Ἀμπλίας, DELP] is a contraction)
Saluted by St. Paul and described as ‘my beloved in the Lord’ (τὸν ἀγαπητόν μου ἐν Κυρίῳ). The only other persons described in Romans 16 as ‘my beloved’ are Epaenetus ( Romans 16:5) and Stachys ( Romans 16:9). A woman is saluted-perhaps with intentional delicacy-as ‘Persia the beloved’ ( Romans 16:12). The precise phrase ‘my beloved in the Lord’ does not occur again in the NT. The special term of Christian endearment might suggest that Ampliatus was a personal convert of St. Paul’s or closely associated with him in Christian work. Such friends, however, are referred to as ‘beloved child’ (Timothy, 1 Corinthians 4:17), ‘beloved brother’ (Tychicus, Ephesians 6:21), ‘beloved fellow-servant’ (Epaphras, Colossians 1:7), etc. (cf. articleBeloved). Nothing whatever is known of Ampliatus beyond this reference.
Assuming the integrity of the Epistle and the Roman destination of these salutations, he was perhaps a Roman, whom St. Paul had met on one of his missionary journeys, and who was known by the Apostle at the time of writing to be residing in or visiting Rome. It is interesting to find the name Ampliatus several times in inscriptions belonging to the Imperial familia or household (see Lightfoot, Philippians 4, 1878, p. 174, and Sanday-Headlam, Romans 5, 1902, p. 424). Sanday-Headlam also refer to a Christian inscription in the catacomb of Domitilla belonging to the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd cent. in which the name occurs, possibly as that of a slave or freedman prominent in the Church. If the view be held that the salutations in Romans 16 were part of a letter to the Church of Ephesus, Ampliatus must have been a Roman, resident in Ephesus, with whom St. Paul became acquainted during his long stay in that city. It is possible that he was a Jew who had taken a Latin name (cf. the names Paulus, and Lucius a ‘kinsman,’ i.e. a Jew, Romans 16:21).
T. B. Allworthy.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [2]
AMPLIATUS (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] Amplias ). Greeted by St. Paul ( Romans 16:8 ), perhaps of the imperial household (Lightfoot on Philippians 4:22 ), and a prominent Christian (Sanday-Headlam). The name, a common slave designation, is found inscribed in the catacombs.
A. J. Maclean.
Smith's Bible Dictionary [3]
Amplia'tus. (Revised Version). Romans 16:8. (The full name of which Amplias , above, is the contraction. (The name in this form is "common in the sepulchral inscriptions of persons connected with Caesar's household." (A.D. 55) - Editor).
Holman Bible Dictionary [4]
Amplias
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
am - pli - ā´tus ( Ἀμπλιᾶτος , Ampliā́tos , Codex Sinaiticus, A,B,F, Ἀμπλιᾶτυς , Ampliā́tus ; Ἀμπλιᾶς , Amplias , D,E,L,P, the Revised Version (British and American) form; the King James Version Amplias ): The name of a member of the Christian community at Rome, to whom Paul sent greetings ( Romans 16:8 ). He is designated "my beloved in the Lord." It is a common name and is found in inscriptions connected with the imperial household. The name is found twice in the cemetery of Domitilla. The earlier inscription is over a cell which belongs to the end of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd century. The bearer of this name was probably a member of her household and conspicuous in the early Christian church in Rome.
